Quad XC or Tara? Marin anoraks, here's your chance...

[J]

How do.

I wonder if any of you guys can help me make a choice.

I'm about to shell out on either a 2003 Quad XC (Mount Vision) or a TARA (Attack Trail) from the
Marin full-suspension mtb range.

I've always ridden hardtails and indeed have never been near full suspension before. Though I've
done a heap of review and spec surfing, I'm unable to find out, in a simple sentence, what the
real-world diffrerence is between these two different types of suspension.

As I say, I've read the specs 'till I'm blue in the face, but being totally inexperienced in this
arena, some pointers would be appreciated.

Some of you may (rightly) say that I should find a good dealer and he'll expain all the details, but
I hate that **** I'm afraid. I'd rather take my considered knowledge with me to the shop rather than
glean it from someone who's about to make the most expensive sale of the day.

Your thoughts appreciated.

[Simon Galgut]

"J" <atavax@aol.com> wrote in message news:MPG.19b56f7cbb3c95da989680@NEWS.CIS.DFN.DE...
> How do.
>
> I wonder if any of you guys can help me make a choice.
>
> I'm about to shell out on either a 2003 Quad XC (Mount Vision) or a TARA (Attack Trail) from the
> Marin full-suspension mtb range.
>
> I've always ridden hardtails and indeed have never been near full suspension before. Though I've
> done a heap of review and spec surfing, I'm unable to find out, in a simple sentence, what the
> real-world diffrerence is between these two different types of suspension.

The Quad is a four bar linkage in which the rear wheel moves in an S shape. The TARA is a single
pivot linkage in which the rear wheel moves in an arc around the pivot point. In addition to this,
the Quad puts different leverage on the shock at different points in its travel as opposed to the
TARA where leverage is directly proportional to the movement of the rear suspension. The Quad is
better, but has more pivot points to go wrong.

Regards Simon

[J]

In article <biggjn$95jm8$1@ID-177598.news.uni-berlin.de>, igi@chrimson.com says...
>
> "J" <atavax@aol.com> wrote in message news:MPG.19b56f7cbb3c95da989680@NEWS.CIS.DFN.DE...
> > How do.
> >
> > I wonder if any of you guys can help me make a choice.
> >
> > I'm about to shell out on either a 2003 Quad XC (Mount Vision) or a TARA (Attack Trail) from the
> > Marin full-suspension mtb range.
> >
> > I've always ridden hardtails and indeed have never been near full suspension before. Though I've
> > done a heap of review and spec surfing, I'm unable to find out, in a simple sentence, what the
> > real-world diffrerence is between these two different types of suspension.
>
> The Quad is a four bar linkage in which the rear wheel moves in an S shape. The TARA is a single
> pivot linkage in which the rear wheel moves in an arc around the pivot point. In addition to this,
> the Quad puts different leverage on the shock at different points in its travel as opposed to the
> TARA where leverage is directly proportional to the movement of the rear suspension. The Quad is
> better, but has more pivot points to go wrong.
>
> Regards Simon
>
>
>
Well put, mate.

Thanks